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CNC Machining Material

PP (Polypropylene)

Light and chemical-resistant — the value performer

Quick Stats

Machinability
Excellent
Tolerance
±0.01 mm
Lead Time
5-7 days
Min Wall
0.5 mm
Company
Strength
20 Years of Experience
20 Years of Experience
72 Sets of CNC Machines
72 Sets of CNC Machines
Precision: ±0.01mm
Precision: ±0.01mm
7-15 Days Fast Shipping
7-15 Days Fast Shipping
Quality
Advantages
No Knife Marks
No Knife Marks
No Scratches
No Scratches
No Blemishes
No Blemishes
No Color Difference
No Color Difference

Material Overview

PP (polypropylene) has a density of approximately 0.9g/cm³, making it the lightest common plastic. It resists most acids, alkalis, solvents and oils, is non-absorbent and stress-crack resistant, widely used in chemical equipment and laboratory consumables.

PP machines well, achieving smooth surfaces with sharp tools. Its melting point is relatively low (approximately 160°C), requiring cutting temperature control to avoid material melting, tool clogging and surface tearing.

PP is tough and weldable with low raw material cost, suitable for large-volume production of chemical tanks, pump and valve parts, laboratory consumables and automotive interior trim. We specialize in batch production, 100 pcs MOQ, lead time 15-25 days.

Key Advantages

  • Density only 0.9g/cm³, lightest common plastic
  • Resistant to acids, alkalis, solvents and oils
  • Non-absorbent, stress-crack resistant
  • Low raw material cost, suitable for mass production
  • Tough, hot-air weldable
  • Food-grade and flame-retardant grades available

Material Properties

The following table lists typical mechanical, thermal, and physical properties for this material. Actual values may vary by grade and temper.

Property Value Unit

Available Grades & Alloys

We stock multiple grades for different application needs. Each grade offers distinct properties optimised for specific uses — click to view detailed specifications, machining advice and typical applications.

PP (Polypropylene) · Related Products

A selection of parts machined from this material.

Common Applications

This material is widely used across multiple industries for various applications, from precision prototypes to end-use production parts.

Medical

Surgical instruments, housings

Aerospace

Structural brackets, panels

Automotive

Engine components, housings

Electronics

Heat sinks, enclosures

Robotics

Motor mounts, brackets

Industrial

Fixtures, jigs, tooling

Consumer

Frames, handles, cases

Marine

Fittings, valves, hardware

CNC Machining Tips

Available Surface Finishes

Finish Type Description Ra (typical)

Compatible Surface Treatments

Common Applications

Material FAQ

The questions engineers ask most about machining, surface quality and selecting this material.

Related to PP (Polypropylene)

PP vs PE: What Is the Difference & Which Should You Choose?+
PP offers superior rigidity and heat resistance (mp ~160°C) with good chemical resistance and low cost, making it ideal for chemical tanks, flanges, and pump/valve parts. PE is softer, handles extreme cold better (down to -100°C), and has a low friction coefficient; UHMW-PE delivers 7x the wear resistance of carbon steel, suiting conveyor rails and wear liners. Select PP for rigidity/heat and PE for wear/low-temperature performance.

Read full answer

What is the MOQ for Plastic Parts?+
We focus on volume production with a standard MOQ of 100 units. Unit pricing for plastic parts is highly volume-sensitive—raw materials are purchased in full sheets or bars, so material waste and setup time cannot be amortized below 100 units. Prices drop significantly above 100 units, with a standard lead time of 15-25 days for batch orders.

Read full answer

Can CNC Machining of Acrylic (PMMA) Achieve a Mirror Finish?+
Yes. Acrylic is one of the few plastics that can achieve a mirror finish directly through cutting. We use single-crystal diamond tools for precision machining, followed by flame polishing or diamond grinding. Surface roughness is consistently controlled within Ra0.4μm, delivering a high-gloss appearance free of scratches or defects, resembling a mirror. No secondary coating is required. For batch production, identical parameters are used to ensure consistent mirror finish quality.

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PEI vs PEEK: How to Choose?+
Temperature and cost guide selection. PEI offers long-term service up to 170°C (Tg 217°C), inherent flame retardancy, and lower cost than PEEK, ideal for aerospace interiors, electrical insulation, and medical device structural parts. PEEK withstands long-term temperatures up to 250°C with better chemical and wear resistance, suitable for high-heat, corrosive, or implant-grade applications. For temperatures below 170°C, PEI is usually more economical.

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How do you control surface appearance for plastic parts with scratches or flow marks?+
Appearance quality is a core strength. We use a three-stage control process: during machining, sharp tools with high RPM and shallow cuts prevent tool marks and roughness; between processes, all parts are film-wrapped and transferred in individual stations to avoid stacking scratches; before shipping, each piece is inspected under standard light sources against strict criteria for glossy, scratch-free, and blemish-free finishes. Batch consistency is guaranteed by fixed parameters and fixtures, not manual picking.

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Can Plastic and Aluminum Parts Maintain Consistent Aesthetic Quality?+
The criteria for judgment are consistent: high gloss, high-shine surface, no scratches, and no defects. The difference lies in the process—aluminum parts rely on anodizing and polishing, while plastic parts use diamond cutting and flame polishing or mechanical polishing. When aluminum and plastic parts are mixed in the same batch, we standardize color swatches and gloss samples to avoid visual discrepancies between the two materials on the same product.

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Send Us Your Drawing — We Handle the Rest

Send your STEP / DWG / PDF drawing and get a detailed quote with free DFM analysis and process recommendations within 2 hours. No minimum order — from 1 piece.

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